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Physical description

The Ashwinder is thin and pale-grey with glowing red eyes. They rise from the embers of the dying fire and slither off into a dark corner to lay their eggs, leaving an ashy trail behind. Ashwinders only live for an hour and will collapse to dust when they have laid their eggs.

Habitat

Since Ashwinders are created by magical fires, they can be found anywhere. However, if in a residence and allowed to lay their eggs, the eggs will ignite and burn the building down within minutes.

Etymology

"Ash" comes from the colour of itself and ashes are connected to fire. "Winder" recalls the sideway movement of some snakes, which are aptly-named "sidewinders", such as the rattlesnake.

Behind the scenes

The Ashwinder was used to represent the worm "bloated and blind" that appeared in the retelling of 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune' in Hogwarts' pantomime while Armando Dippet was Headmaster. The creature was enlarged using an Engorgement Charm, and, as an Engorgement Charm should never be placed upon them, exploded in a shower of hot sparks and dust.

This pantomime signaled the end of Hogwarts's pantomime tradition, as it ended in the Great Hall hosting a fire caused by the Ashwinder's huge eggs, which give off tremendous heat. It exploded with showers of ash and embers causing further chaos. Professor Silvanus Kettleburn, who supplied the Ashwinder for the production, was put on probation.